Why Trust This Article?
- • Author: Hesham Al-Daaja (based in China since 2019)
- • Last updated: October 15, 2026
- • Based on direct field experience with Arab travelers and buyers
Quick answer: where are the markets Arab buyers ask about in Guangzhou?
I'm Hesham, and I've lived in China since 2019. Arab traders in Guangzhou ask me about five things above all: shoes, watches, electronics, car parts and outlets. Here is the short version, then the details:
- Shoes: Zhanxi Road (站西路), near Guangzhou Railway Station.
- Watches: the same Zhanxi area, in complexes such as Nanfang International Watch Center and Wangjiao International Watch City.
- Electronics and phone accessories: the Dashatou area and the Xidi market in Liwan, with computers in Tianhe.
- Car parts and accessories: Yongfu Road in Yuexiu, Sanyuanli and Zhiyou in Baiyun, and Huadu.
- Outlets: Sasseur (Guangzhou) Outlets in Baiyun, which as of the last report I read is not open yet, with opening planned for the end of 2026.
The shoe market: Zhanxi Road (站西路)
The Zhanxi shoe area is on the western part of Zhanxi Road near Guangzhou Railway Station. According to sourcing guides it is a group of around 16 specialised markets, including Jinma Shoe City, with thousands of merchants. It sells men's and women's casual shoes, work boots, sneakers and shoe-making materials.
- It's busy and a bit chaotic: many small stalls, so go early for the best selection.
- Expect to bargain: the first price is usually above the real one.
- Always ask the minimum order and the price per size and colour.
Before you pay: ask for a sample, check the actual material (real or synthetic leather) and make sure what you saw is what will be shipped.
The watch market: also around Zhanxi
The same Zhanxi area is one of China's best-known wholesale watch districts. Complexes named in sources include Nanfang International Watch Center, Wangjiao International Watch City and Zhanxi Watch City. Trade is spread across several connected buildings, not one market.
- Ready-made watches are sold at relatively low minimums, while private-label work is usually done by factories nearby.
- Sources say the room to negotiate on watch prices is fairly small, so don't expect a big discount.
I filmed a tour of one of China's biggest watch markets, which you can watch in my Guangzhou wholesale markets guide. Quality varies a lot from stall to stall, so test and inspect a sample before ordering in volume.
Electronics and phone-accessory markets
Guangzhou is a distribution hub for electronics more than a design and manufacturing centre. It suits accessories, peripherals and consumer gadgets. For custom smart hardware or circuit boards, Shenzhen is better (see my Huaqiangbei Shenzhen electronics guide).
- Dashatou: listed as the phone-accessory area, with the Haiyin electronics and audio market on Dashatou Road.
- Xidi in Liwan: described by sources as one of the largest wholesale centres for phones and electronics, with a lot of export trade.
- Computers and IT equipment: some sources point to Gangding in Tianhe.
Car parts and accessories
Guangzhou has several car-parts and accessories hubs:
- Yongfu Road, Yuexiu: described as one of the largest distribution centres for parts, accessories, electronics and repair tools. One of its oldest markets is the Fuyi Auto Accessory Business Centre, opened in 1998.
- Baiyun: the Sanyuanli area and Zhiyou Automobile Parts City are comprehensive wholesale centres.
- Huadu: Kaitong Auto Parts City focuses on used parts and car modification accessories.
For parts in particular: ask for the original part number, confirm fit for the model and year, and get a written warranty. Fake or non-conforming parts are a safety risk and I don't recommend them.
Guangzhou outlets
The biggest outlet project in the city is Sasseur (Guangzhou) Outlets in Baiyun, about 200,000 square metres with more than 400 international brands reported to have signed leases. According to Baiyun district government reports from July 2026, the main structure is built and opening is planned for the end of 2026. So it isn't open now; check the opening date before you plan around it.
If you're looking for discounted brands right now, ask me first: places calling themselves "outlets" are often counterfeit or non-original overstock, and I don't want you wasting your time.
Clothing, leather and more
Clothing (Baima, Shisanhang, Liuhua), leather and Yide Road are covered in my Guangzhou wholesale markets guide.
How to visit these markets without losing money
- Most are wholesale, with minimum orders.
- Posted prices start above the real ones, so negotiate.
- Never pay in advance before inspecting a sample and checking the company.
- Avoid Chinese public holidays, when the markets are packed.
- Most stalls accept WeChat Pay and Alipay; carry some cash as a backup.
- Addresses and names change, so don't rely on one guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the shoe market in Guangzhou?
On Zhanxi Road near Guangzhou Railway Station, in Yuexiu district.
Where is the watch market in Guangzhou?
In the same Zhanxi area, in the watch complexes around the station.
Can I buy counterfeit watches or shoes and bring them home?
I don't recommend it. Counterfeit branded goods are illegal to sell in most countries and customs seize them. Buy unbranded goods or your own brand.
Where do I buy electronics and phone accessories?
In Dashatou and Xidi in Guangzhou for accessories and wholesale, and in Shenzhen if you want smart or custom products.
Where is the car parts market?
On Yongfu Road in Yuexiu, in Sanyuanli in Baiyun, and in Huadu.
Are there outlets in Guangzhou?
Sasseur Outlets in Baiyun is planned to open at the end of 2026 and wasn't open as of the last report I read.
Do I need an interpreter in these markets?
Almost always. Most traders only speak Chinese, and negotiating and checking quality takes someone who knows the market.
I'm with you in the markets
I accompany Arab traders in Guangzhou's markets: interpreting and negotiating, a private driver from your hotel to the markets, and supplier and factory checks before any payment. Also read my guide to Arabic restaurants in Guangzhou and the Canton Fair Autumn 2026 guide.
